To Unlock Bonus Chapters:
Reach 50/100/200/400 Power Stones! 3 Extra Chapters!
Reach 800 Power Stones to activate NP!
Resets Weekly! [Monday]
—————————————————————————————————————————
By the banks of the Shule River stood an inconspicuous izakaya. Its location was remote, far from the industrial zones of the Hourglass Group, but it was exceptionally quiet. The exterior looked ordinary, no different from any roadside eatery. However, upon stepping inside, one could sense the difference. The interior design wasn't luxurious, but it exuded a rich sense of humanity and warmth. The layout was clean and tidy, with soft lighting that wasn't harsh on the eyes, making anyone who sat down feel cozy and comfortable.
At this moment, the restaurant had been entirely cleared out, leaving only one table occupied by six guests. Representing Konoha were Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Danzo Shimura, while representing Sunagakure were Jinghang, Rasa, and Yashamaru (Rasa's future brother-in-law and a jonin of Sunagakure). In the nearby kitchen, the chef was busy amidst a smoky haze, and the aroma of grilled food wafted through the air.
Before long, a burly, good-natured chef brought out a large platter of freshly grilled yakitori skewers and placed it in front of the group, along with a large bottle of sake.
"Gentlemen, everything you ordered is ready. Please enjoy."
Jinghang nodded and said,
"Thank you for your hard work. You may rest now."
He then turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi and said,
"Come on, try it. The lantern skewers here are absolutely exceptional."
Hiruzen, feeling quite relaxed at this moment, didn't hesitate. He picked up a skewer and took a bite. The egg yolk burst in his mouth, its texture perfectly balanced between cooked and raw, creating a delightful sensation. The chicken meat that followed was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, showcasing the chef's masterful control over the grill.
"Not bad! Not bad at all! I underestimated this place. The storefront may be small, but the flavor is genuinely impressive. Koharu, Danzo, you should try it too," Hiruzen said, urging his companions to dig in. He then downed a cup of sake in one gulp, exhaling contentedly.
Koharu and Danzo didn't hold back either, quickly joining in the feast. Jinghang and the others weren't to be outdone, grabbing skewers and diving in.
As the dishes were savored and the sake flowed, the atmosphere grew increasingly relaxed. The group's postures became more casual, and Jinghang felt it was about time to discuss business. He slowed his pace of eating and said,
"Alright, that's enough. Let's get down to business, gentlemen."
Hiruzen exchanged glances with Koharu and Danzo. After a slight nod from Hiruzen, Koharu was the first to speak.
"The Hokage's proposal is to use this opportunity to unite the forces of Konoha and Sunagakure. First, we will issue a joint peace declaration, urging the Lands of Earth and Lightning to cease hostilities. If that fails, we can form a joint ninja army of no less than 20,000 troops and station them in the Land of Rain to pressure the two nations into submission…"
"Stop, stop, stop… Let's pause right there," Jinghang rudely interrupted Koharu, holding an empty bamboo skewer in his hand. He pointed it at her and said,
"Answer me one question first."
"Please, Lord Kazekage," Koharu replied, unfazed by Jinghang's lack of decorum. After all, this was a casual setting for skewers and sake, not a formal occasion. There was no need for rigid etiquette.
"If—just if—we station troops in the Land of Rain, and the Third Raikage, that hothead, and the Third Tsuchikage, that old stubborn mule, still refuse to comply, what then?"
The three Konoha representatives were taken aback. None of them seemed to have considered this scenario—it simply didn't align with their expectations.
"According to repeated simulations by our Konoha Intelligence Division, this scenario won't occur because…"
"Koharu, please answer my question directly. I'm not asking for your Intelligence Division's simulations. I'm asking what we'll do if my scenario happens."
"Well…"
Seeing Koharu at a loss for words, Jinghang pressed on,
"Hah! 'Well…' If we're talking about war, it's a matter of life and death, the survival of nations. It's not something to be taken lightly! Are you suggesting I entrust the lives of Sunagakure's children to the calculations of Konoha's analysts? Sorry, but I must firmly oppose any decision to deploy troops!"
His words were righteous and resolute, leaving no room for argument. To refute him would be to appear as a warmonger. After all, the lives of Sunagakure's children were precious, just as Konoha's children were cherished by their families.
Koharu, thoroughly flustered, could only take a sip of sake to mask her embarrassment.
Danzo, meanwhile, silently gave Jinghang a mental nod of approval. He then chimed in,
"There's no need for anger, Lord Kazekage. The troop deployment can be put on hold, but surely we can still issue the peace declaration?"
With a single sentence, Danzo downgraded a potential military operation into mere diplomatic rhetoric. Everyone knew that in an era where might made right, a peace declaration without military backing was as good as a piece of toilet paper.
Hiruzen shot Danzo a disapproving glance, clearly dissatisfied with his stance.
"That approach would lack sufficient deterrence."
"The peace declaration can certainly be issued, but military threats can take another form," Jinghang replied.
Hiruzen's interest was piqued. "What form?"
Jinghang took a slow sip of sake before uttering four words.
"Military exercises."
"Military exercises?" The three Konoha representatives echoed in unison, intrigued by the unfamiliar term.
"Yes, military exercises. Konoha and Sunagakure can each deploy around 1,000 elite ninjas to stage a joint exercise near the borders of the Lands of Earth and Lightning. We can showcase powerful jutsu and coordinated tactics, essentially flexing our muscles. This display of strength would likely make both Kumogakure and Iwagakure reconsider their actions. Wouldn't this create a temporary peace?"
Hiruzen's eyes lit up upon hearing this, but after a moment, his enthusiasm dimmed.
"Such a peace would likely be short-lived."
"Hahaha!" Jinghang burst into laughter, leaving the Konoha trio visibly uncomfortable. Rasa and Yashamaru tugged at Jinghang's sleeve, worried about the awkward atmosphere.
"Dear brother, do you really think your approach would bring lasting peace?" Jinghang asked, his tone less brazen but still pointed.
The Konoha trio fell silent.
"Have any of you ever witnessed a bullfight?" Jinghang suddenly asked, catching everyone off guard with the abrupt shift in topic.
"Lord Kazekage, are you referring to bulls locking horns?" Yashamaru played along, clearly adept at keeping the conversation flowing.
"Exactly. When bulls lock horns, their strength is immense. If you try to intervene, not only will you fail to separate them, but you might also get gored yourself. Even if you manage to pull them apart by force, as long as they haven't exhausted their energy, they'll fight again the moment they meet."
"So what should be done?" Yashamaru asked, playing the perfect straight man. Jinghang nodded approvingly—this young man had potential.
"What should be done? Let them fight! Once they're worn out, you simply crack a whip near their heads to scare them, and they'll naturally stop."
Hiruzen and the others understood the metaphor immediately.
Hiruzen picked up his cup and took another sip of sake.
"After prolonged warfare, countless lives will be lost…"
At that moment, Danzo interjected.
"I believe Lord Kazekage's words carry some truth. Forcing a ceasefire now would only lead to a temporary truce, not lasting peace. In a few years, an even larger war might break out. Besides…"
Danzo's expression darkened.
"I think a war-torn Kumogakure and Iwagakure would better serve the interests of both Konoha and Sunagakure."
His statement sent shockwaves through the room. Jinghang and the other two from Sunagakure remained silent, quietly sipping their sake. Hiruzen looked at Danzo in astonishment, while Koharu grabbed one of the last remaining skewers and began chewing furiously.